An official communique was issued by Emir Abdullah at midnight to explain his cancellation of his agreement to lease part of his personal domain in Transjordan to Jews.
The communique declares: “In order to deny false reports spread regarding the lease of the Ghor Lands to a foreign company or foreign citizens, the Emir’s Palace announces these reports are absolutely baseless.
“The Emir’s Palace is withdrawing the advertisement published regarding the lease of the above lands and from today on these lands are not for sale.”
The Ghor Lands referred to constitute the Jordan valley on both sides of the Jordan, known in Arabic as El Ghor.
The communique, it is believed, was aimed chiefly to pacify the aroused mood of the Arab nationalists.
Jewish circles consider it best to abstain from comment.
Mithkal Pasha, one of the most influential Arab Sheiks of Transjordan, who following Emir Abdullah’s offer to lease 50,000 dunams of his land to Jews, offered 100,000 dunams of land for lease, has sent one of his finest horses as a gift to Dr. Chaim Arlosoroff, as a token of friendly feeling toward the Jewish Agency Executive.
This token of friendship, coming at the present stage of developments, is regarded as an indication that Emir Abdullah’s act does not mean the liquidation of other Transjordan offers for the lease of land.
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